CS 201 - System and Network Administration
Lynchburg College Computer Science
Aug. 22, 2002
Click on Textbook to see table of contents
Click to see Table of Contents

Instructors :
Dr. Randy Ribler (ribler_r@lynchburg.edu) and
Dr. Constantine Roussos (roussos@lynchburg.edu)
Offices: Hobbs 103, Hobbs104
Office Phones: 544-8529, 544-8395

COURSE SYLLABUS

Students experience a hands-on approach to system and network administration. General network and system administration is explored using two or more different operating systems. Topics covered include system configuration, network planning, routine system maintenance, firewalls and security, Internet connectivity, system optimization, troubleshooting, and scripting languages.

    The primary objectives of this course are the following:
  1. Understand Unix and Windows file systems.
  2. Identify, control and schedule processes.
  3. Manage user accounts.
  4. Install and troubleshoot hardware devices.
  5. Install and configure system software.
  6. Manage a TCP/IP Ethernet network.
  7. Configure and manage DNS, FTP, X, Mail, Telnet and WWW servers.
  8. Create and Maintain Secure Systems.

More information, supplementary materials, sample tests, study guides, etc. are located at http://cs-netlab-01.lynchburg.edu/courses/SysAdmin

  1. Unix and Windows Fundamentals.
    1. Getting started
      1. CS computing facilities.
      2. Logging into your account.
      a. Username, Password
      b. Directories and subdirectories.
      c. Privileges and access.
       3. Off-campus computing
      a. Using ftp
      b. http
    2. The class website.
    3. Understanding and using files.
      protection, date/time, etc.
    4. Communications in this course.
      1. email
      a. Your mail clients and servers.
      b. Communicating with your instructors.
       2. Your homework projects, labs and research.

  2. Introduction to System and Network Administration
    1. Overview Hardware
      System Software
      Networks
    2. Operating Systems Linux
      Windows 2000
      Network Software and Protocols
    3. Ethics in Sys Admin The Law and ethics
      The Corporation's rights vs. the User's rights
      Protecting the system

  3. Hardware
    1. System Components Outside the Box Monitor, Keyboard, Mice
      Printer       Inside the Box Hard Drives - Masters and Slaves
      CD-ROMs, Zip Drives
      Floppies and Super Disks
      Disk I/O Controllers and cabling
      Ports - Serial and Parallel
      Modems
      Tapes
      Motherboard Buses and Slots
      Memory
      Processor (CPU)
      Power Supply
      Video and Audio
      USB
      Raid
      Cache
    2. Assembling a System Precautions
      Troubleshooting
    3. Network Hardware Routers, Hubs and Switches
      Cabling and Connectors
      Connecting to The Net and Other considerations

  4. System Installation
    1. System Architectural Overview
    2. Installing Linux - the basics
    3. Installing Windows 2000 - the basics
    4. Adding new hardware and upgrading.
    5. Firmware and Flash
    6. Device Drivers - What are they and where does one get them?
    7. Privileged Users - Root, Administrator, +
    8. Booting Up and Shutting Down
    9. Backups - the basics
    10. Creating a small network for Home or Business

  5. Processes/ Daemons
    1. Definition
    2. Types of Processes System
      User
      Real-time
      Batch
      Priorities
      Scheduling
    3. Monitoring Processes
    4. Managing Processes

  6. Linux and Windows File System Management
    1. File System Organizations and File Types
    2. System Folders and Files
    3. User Folders and Files
    4. File Security
    5. File Properties
    6. Installing and Removing Applications
    7. Configuration and .ini files
    8. The Windows Registry

  7. Managing Users
    1. Adding New Users User folders
      User Privileges
      Groups and Policies
      Considerations for Services such as FTP and WWW - the basics
      Passwords
    2. Modifying User Account Properties
    3. Considerations for Deleting Users

  8. Backups and Restoration
    1. Backup Media - Pros and cons CDs and DVDs
      Tape
      RAID
      Mirroring
      Hard Drives
      Other Machines on the Net
    2. System Information Boot Disks
      The Registry
      Configuration Files
    3. Applications
    4. User Accounts, Folders and Files
    5. Network and Device Configuration information
    6. Log Files
    7. Backup Methodologies/Schedules
    8. Physical location backup considerations - Off site archives
    9. Proprietary Media/Hardware
    10. Restoring Files
    11. Restoring the System
    12. Checkpoints

  9. Networking Basics
    1. Types of Networks - Overview Ethernet vs. Token Ring vs. ?
      Netware
      Windows Networking
      TCP/IP
    2. Network Protocols - TCP, IP, UDP, NetBIOS, ...
    3. TCP/IP Concepts and Configuration - the basics
    4. Host Names and IP addresses
    5. Windows Active Directory, Workgroups and Domains
    6. Managing Network Services FTP
      WWW
      DNS
      DHCP
      WINS
      Telnet
      X
      email - POP, IMAP, other
    7. Connecting Unix to Windows Simple File Access
      FTP
      WWW
      NFS: The Network File System
      Browsing
      Database Access

  10. Basic Network Trouble-Shooting and Monitoring Tools
    1. Sam Spade
    2. Ping
    3. Traceroute
    4. NSLookup
    5. WhoIs and reporting abuse
    6. email Tracing and Analysis

  11. Networking Intermediate
    1. Domain Name Registration
    2. Using a virtual host to maintain a website
    3. Automatic IP assignment - DHCP and Bootp
    4. Configuring and Managing DNS
    5. Configuring and Managing Windows Active Directory and Domains
    6. Configuring and Managing email
    7. Configuring and Managing Print Services

  12. Scripting and Sys Admin
    1. Scripting Languages
    2. Executing images and command line parameters
    3. Executing and Scheduling Scripts

  13. System and Network Security
    1. FireWalls
    2. Physical Security
    3. Privileges
    4. Patches
    5. Cryptography, Encryption, PGP, Public Key, Kerberos, Certificates, Authenticity, ...
    6. Viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms, Denial of Service (DOS), Buffer Overflows
    7. Saint
Testing :
There will be 3 tests, an undetermined number of pop quizzes and homework assignments, several labs/practicums and a final exam. Class participation will also count towards one's grade.
The above factors will be weighted as follows :
Tests :.33
Labs and Practicums:.33
Final Exam :.22
Class Partic, Homework, Quizzes: .12

Grading :
The standard 10 point grading scale will be used. (i.e. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, below 60 = F) THERE WILL BE NO CURVE. You will always know approximately how you are doing in the course by applying the above factors to your grades to date.

Important notes:
  1. If you are having trouble with the course come to me for help right away - DO NOT WAIT.
  2. You are responsible for attending class, completing programs on time, taking tests when scheduled, knowing the college's grading policies, knowing course withdrawal dates and making up all missed work.
  3. As always the honor code is in full effect. You may NOT collaborate on pledged assignments such as tests. If you are ever in doubt of whether or not an action constitutes an honor violation ask me beforehand.
  4. Class participation on your part is an excellent means of making our classes more interesting and demonstrating to me your knowledge of and interest in the subject matter.

Required Materials:
Unix System Administration Handbook by Nemeth, Snyder, Seebass and Hein. (in Bookstore)
The publisher is Prentice Hall PTR.

Recommended Materials:
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server by Microsoft Press (Academic Learning Series)

Statement for students with disabilities
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with appropriately documented disabilities. Students should notify the Support Services Coordinator located in the Academic Advising Office on the first floor of Hall Campus Center and provide documentation of their disability in order to be considered eligible for accommodation. Students are encouraged to do this as soon as possible prior to or at the beginning of each semester so their needs can be arranged in a timely fashion. Accommodations are effective as of the date of the Accommodations Memos students receive to distribute to their instructors. Accommodations are not retroactive.


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